Filling screw holes in the deck

[Beezerchris]

Like any old boat - the deck sides on my SS are covered in holes from old downrigger brackets, moved cleats, old canvas snaps etc. I'm thinking of filling them all with Permatex Coldweld before I prime and repaint. Given the vibration and flex that these tinnies are subject to does anyone have any other suggestions on how to best fill these holes? I'd weld them over if it wasn't aluminum, and if it was wood I'd just fill them. Aluminum is new to me.

She's had a variety of horn fitted up front too, so there's some filling to be done there as well and hopefully I can fabricate a mounting bracket that will cover it all up when I put the air horns on.

 

[Starman8]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

I use WaterWeld, made by JB in a 2 part epoxy silly putty tube, $3 bucks at HD, from underneath, push it up, scrape off the excess.

This stuff has handled below water friction at 40 MPH, it will handle a tinny shuddering

 

[barbosam]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

I have had mixed results with these products. In some applications they work great, others they crack and fall off. I recently used some on the aluminum siding on my RV and it has worked excellent. But when used in areas with more flex it can be a problem. On my holiday the previous owner riveted new aluminum plates over these extra holes (and its all painted very well to match). I think this looks good and does not look like a Hokey band-aide. If you have A-LOT of holes maybe this might not be the best for you.

Anyway thats just my two cents, take it for what its worth, I'm not saying cold weld products wouldn't work, just look out for any flex, vibration or stress.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

After much thought on my 16 SS and holes, I decided when I finished the floor Vinyl that although I had painted the top sides I would try the Vinyl for a cover. WELL it covered all holes, is solid, dry and looks very good. I think it is a wise choice as most new rec. runabout Aluminum boats do the same at the factory

 

[djpeters]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

After much thought on my 16 SS and holes, I decided when I finished the floor Vinyl that although I had painted the top sides I would try the Vinyl for a cover. WELL it covered all holes, is solid, dry and looks very good. I think it is a wise choice as most new rec. runabout Aluminum boats do the same at the factory

I am comteplating doing this as well. Any pics?

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

Go onto the list and where my answer comes up click on it in the right column, then scroll down to my photo album there are a bunch there as well as other boats i own or have owned oe email me and i can send a couple of good photos with the trim ( noahslark@comcast.net) Puget

 

[MichaelP]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

When I did my 16 SS I took it to a reputable welder. The smaller holes were easily filled. For the larger ones I held a small backer plate made of 11ga. aluminum on the under side of the hole while he plug welded it. Just make sure you hold these pieces with a tool of some kind cuz it gets hot. Also clean off the area at least a 1/2" all around the weld zone top and bottom if you can before you bring it in. A bunch of holes can be filled in under an hour. Grind the welds flush and your done. Perminantly. If you have really large holes just fab a piece of aluminum sheet to fit inside and another backer plate to hold it in place during welding. Make sure the filler piece is the same thickness as the base material so it comes out flush.

Hope this helps.
Good luck!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

If it was mine, I would mix up some JB Weld and apply it from the underside with little squares of aluminum flashing as a backer. Then dab a little on the top if needed. Sand smooth when dry. I did this for some holes on my transom and it seems to be working well.

 

[fshngho]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

Beez, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here since I have the same problem. My thoughts are to purchase some .060 aluminum and replace the top side gunnels. Yes this means being good friends with a rivet gun and the cost of the sheet metal ( maybe $20.00) but I would have a brand new flat gunnel to put holes in.
I would have to remove trim and then use the old as a pattern. On my 18' boat that is 2 pcs of aluminum approximately 10" x 120". It has a curve so thats why the extra width.
Like I said it is work, but so is the other options.

 

[barato]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

Fishngho, that's a great idea, but you might not even need to pull the old ones....just rivet the new over em. .060 isn't going to be enough to make your trim not fit back on.

 

[djpeters]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

Beez, I'm going to throw my 2 cents in here since I have the same problem. My thoughts are to purchase some .060 aluminum and replace the top side gunnels. Yes this means being good friends with a rivet gun and the cost of the sheet metal ( maybe $20.00) but I would have a brand new flat gunnel to put holes in.
I would have to remove trim and then use the old as a pattern. On my 18' boat that is 2 pcs of aluminum approximately 10" x 120". It has a curve so thats why the extra width.
Like I said it is work, but so is the other options.

Really $20 bucks? I'm not doubting you, I would just assume a chunk of aluminum that size would cost more than that. I may have to check into that. I think I want to keep my gunnels all metal so I may check that out.

I have asked around and the concensus on using some kind of glue to fill them with won't be a permanent fix. A couple body guys thought it would eventually crack over time. (I got the feeling though they were talking about years, so maybe?)

I am a little leary of welding as I don't want to end up with a rippled gunwall top.

MichaelP...do you have any pics of the welds? and how it came out after it was all done? I think welding would be the way to go if they can keep them flat. Like you said, shouldn't take a lot of time.

Thanks.

 

[Starman8]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

I would have to remove trim and then use the old as a pattern. On my 18' boat that is 2 pcs of aluminum approximately 10" x 120". It has a curve so thats why the extra width.
Like I said it is work, but so is the other options.

I read this and went and measured on the theory of a single piece on each side, and the width may need to be 16"

 

[fshngho]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

Fishngho, that's a great idea, but you might not even need to pull the old ones....just rivet the new over em. .060 isn't going to be enough to make your trim not fit back on.

Maybe not Barato but most of my rivets are loose anyway. That why I thought about replacing the metal instead of just re-attaching it.

Really $20 bucks? I'm not doubting you, I would just assume a chunk of aluminum that size would cost more than that. I may have to check into that. I think I want to keep my gunnels all metal so I may check that out.


I have asked around and the concensus on using some kind of glue to fill them with won't be a permanent fix. A couple body guys thought it would eventually crack over time. (I got the feeling though they were talking about years, so maybe?)

I am a little leary of welding as I don't want to end up with a rippled gunwall top


MichaelP...do you have any pics of the welds? and how it came out after it was all done? I think welding would be the way to go if they can keep them flat. Like you said, shouldn't take a lot of time.

Thanks.

DJ, I know a 4 x 10 sheet of .040 is about $60. That is why I think a 20" x 10' would be about $20.00. Check out a local sheet metal shop.

I read this and went and measured on the theory of a single peice on each side, and the width may need to be 16"

Starman that was a rough estimate. I think I would need a 10" x 120" each side, so that would be a 20" x 120" total. Just guessing.

 

[Starman8]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

What I meant was ONE piece. If you look closely, my 79 runs pretty straight just past the windshield, then a lapping piece starts on the bow curve. Look closely to minimize your materials cost.

Brought the old goat inside today with the Great Lakes hurricane happening. Give her those topcoats, and back outside to remove the sawdust of a floor...

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

IMHO --- I think some of you go way to far for replacment and repairs for something your going to drill more holes in anyway. The Nautlux Vinyl is a great LONG Llife material and can be replaced in any spot and be unnoticed. I challange you to find fault in the top sides on ny 16 rebuild. I never mount anything on a rail or bow that does not include a Aluminum backing plate on the oposite side of the repair piece. I took less than a Hour total to put down the vinyl and it matches the floor so its all color. matching. I do not intend to live another 30 years to know the difference anyway. Some of the side Vinyl has been on my boat for 35 years and still looks ok. In the meantime have fun ,its all in what you want to spend not in what you have to spend.

 

[djpeters]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

IMHO --- I think some of you go way to far for replacment and repairs for something your going to drill more holes in anyway. The Nautlux Vinyl is a great LONG Llife material and can be replaced in any spot and be unnoticed. I challange you to find fault in the top sides on ny 16 rebuild. I never mount anything on a rail or bow that does not include a Aluminum backing plate on the oposite side of the repair piece. I took less than a Hour total to put down the vinyl and it matches the floor so its all color. matching. I do not intend to live another 30 years to know the difference anyway. Some of the side Vinyl has been on my boat for 35 years and still looks ok. In the meantime have fun ,its all in what you want to spend not in what you have to spend.

How did you attach it? Did you go all the way to the bow? ...and now I will ask for those better pics of your vinyl job. You got me on the fence now......

 

[rockb]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

I did this for some holes on my transom and it seems to be working well.

ez,

Was that below the waterline? I have a bunch of those screw hoes from old fishfinder / spedo / ... stuff that I need to fill.

 

[Beezerchris]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

Thanks for all suggestions guys. I like the vinyl covering idea. I am not sure I'd want to double over the aluminum as I think that the salt water wight find its way between the two and really wreck havoc. I'll probably JBWeld it and see what happens. It's a fishing boat - not a show boat with an airbrush paintjob. If it shows after three years well so be it.

You'll all laugh if I tell you that I worked as a welder for years - but that was TIG in a bronze art foundry. I tend to over do things and really I just want to tidy her up and enjoy some time on the water, but I know how it'll end!

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

How did you attach it? Did you go all the way to the bow? ...and now I will ask for those better pics of your vinyl job. You got me on the fence now......

I attached it with Welwood contact cement The top photos of the 16 SS are on the personal profile photo link on the forum under ( bare bottom )as well as other boats. I have yet to figure how to post to the daily comments SORRY ,

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Filling screw holes in the deck

ez,

Was that below the waterline? I have a bunch of those screw hoes from old fishfinder / spedo / ... stuff that I need to fill.

Best stay away from those screw hoes might be dangerous to go home after a day with them. LOL